Experts Warn Phishing Simulations Fail to Build True Security Culture
What Happened — A new Help Net Security video featuring Dan Potter, VP of Cyber Resilience at Immersive, argues that traditional annual training videos and quarterly phishing simulations do not reflect employee behavior during real attacks. He calls for cross‑functional, pressure‑tested exercises and micro‑learning at the point of risky behavior to develop genuine security muscle memory.
Why It Matters for TPRM —
- Security‑aware vendors may still expose you to risk if their training programs are superficial.
- Over‑reliance on low‑stakes phishing tests can create a false sense of security, masking gaps in incident response.
- TPRM assessments should evaluate the depth and realism of a third‑party’s security‑culture program, not just completion rates.
Who Is Affected — All industries that outsource services or rely on third‑party SaaS platforms; especially sectors with high‑value data such as finance, healthcare, and technology.
Recommended Actions —
- Request evidence of realistic, cross‑functional security‑exercise programs from vendors.
- Verify that phishing training includes scenario‑based drills under time pressure.
- Incorporate psychological‑safety metrics and post‑exercise debriefs into vendor risk questionnaires.
Technical Notes — The critique focuses on the human factor rather than a specific technical vector; no CVEs or malware are cited. The recommendation is to shift from static phishing simulations to dynamic, stress‑tested exercises that mimic real‑world attack conditions. Source: Help Net Security